Programs at Richmond Library
Richmond Library, 2987 Almond St., offers a Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program that meets Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-6 p.m. and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2-5 p.m. LEAP is a free, drop-in afterschool program that provides homework help and activities for students in grades K-12 every day after school.
Preschool Storytime and Play Group meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Meghan for stories and songs for ages 4 and under with caregivers. Stay after Storytime to play. Siblings welcome.
A Children’s Crochet Club, recommended for ages 7 and up, meets every Wednesday at 4 p.m.
An adult Horror Book Club will meet on Monday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. and every third Monday of the month.
The Chess Club meets Mondays from 4-6 p.m., except Feb. 19. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Read, Baby, Read Storytime and Play Group meets on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Join Ms. Meghan for lap time with stories, songs, rhymes and bounces for babies with caregivers. Stay after Storytime to play. Siblings welcome.
Call 215-685-9992. ••
Vendors/crafters wanted
St. Hubert Parent Association will host a vendor/craft fair on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost per table is $20 and a $20 value product donation. Venmo payment to @st-hubert-pa or mail to St. Hubert High School, 7320 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19136. For more information, email Sheila Picinich at s.picinich@olcalvaryschool.org or Sandy Vaughan at sacoleman@philasd.org. ••
AOH fundraiser
Ancient Order of Hibernians Port Richmond Division 87 will hold its annual beef-and-beer fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 18, from 2-7 p.m., at St. George Hall, at 2700 E. Venango St. (at Edgemont Street). There will be live music by the Natterjacks, the Shantys and Stall the Digger. The cost is $50 and include Czerw’s Polish Kielbasa, cans of domestic beer, roast beef, meatballs, salads and desserts. Guests are welcome to BYOB. ••
Meeting in Port Richmond
Port Richmond Neighborhood Action will meet on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Block Church, 2537 E. Monmouth St. The guest speaker will be from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, discussing the Superfund site at Castor and Delaware avenues. Elected officials and the 24th Police District have also been invited. ••
St. Laurentius windows to be rededicated
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, 654 Ferry Road in Doylestown, will rededicate the preserved stained-glass windows from the historic St. Laurentius Church during the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Ten windows were removed from the former St. Laurentius, founded in 1882 and the oldest Polish Roman Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. St. Laurentius, at Memphis and Berks streets, merged with Holy Name of Jesus in 2013. The church was demolished in 2022.
Following Mass, John Wisniewski, a parishioner of St. Laurentius, and artist Andrew Praszczyk will give a presentation on the history and restoration of the windows in the Shrine’s Visitor Center conference room. ••
Support Storm the Heavens
Storm the Heavens Fund will hold its sixth annual Bean’s Ball on March 9 at 7 p.m. at Vie, 600 N. Broad St.
The masquerade ball will be held in memory of Philomena “Bean” Stendardo, an 8-year-old from Port Richmond who died in 2017 of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a fatal form of brain cancer that mostly affects kids under 11.
Philomena’s parents, Mark and Mina, started the Storm the Heavens Fund to spread awareness and fund research for DIPG.Tickets cost $275. For information on tickets, sponsorships and event booklet ads or to make a donation, visit StormTheHeavens.org. ••
Post office renaming advances
A bill to rename the post office at 9925 Bustleton Ave. as the “Sergeant Christopher David Fitzgerald Post Office Building” passed out of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
“Sgt. Fitzgerald was a valued member of the Temple University community and was passionate about serving our city,” said U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle. “His commitment to serving the public was absolute, and he took great pride in his work protecting the Temple community. His conduct was and is an extraordinary example of absolute commitment to his community and city. Renaming this post office in the city he called home is the least we can do to recognize his bravery; a small but important symbol of our eternal thanks.”
Fitzgerald, a Temple University police officer who resided in Mayfair, was shot and killed in the line of duty in February 2023. He was the first Temple officer to be killed in the line of duty. He joined the school’s police force in October 2021.
Fitzgerald is survived by his wife Marissa and five children. ••
Banning tag flipping
In response to the proliferation of “tag flippers,” devices allowing drivers to change the license plate displayed on their vehicle, Councilman Mike Driscoll introduced legislation prohibiting the purchase, installation, possession for the purpose of installing, manufacture, sale, offer to sell or otherwise distribute a license plate flipping device in the city of Philadelphia.
“Tag-flipping devices belong in a James Bond movie, not on our city’s streets,” Driscoll said. “Many individuals use these when engaged in illegal activity like street racing, drifting or for evading tolls. While the state motor vehicle code only imposes a small fine, my legislation has teeth, hitting offenders with a $2,000 fine.”
Co-sponsors of the legislation include Councilmen Jim Harrity, Anthony Phillips, Mark Squilla and Isaiah Thomas.
“A tag flipper could be used by someone fleeing the scene of an accident, perhaps one in which there’s serious harm or injury,” Driscoll said. “The vehicle is caught on camera, but a tag flipper prevents the driver from being held accountable.” ••
2 plead in carjacking, robberies
U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero announced that Angel Fayez, 19, and Kevin Antun aka Acquah Evans, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, eight counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of carrying and using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
Fayez and Antun were charged by indictment in March 2023 with these offenses, in connection with a series of gunpoint robberies of businesses.
According to the indictment, the defendants committed one carjacking and robbed a variety of small businesses, stealing about $3,613 total from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 in 2022.
One of the incidents took place on Nov. 30, 2022, when Fayez and Antun robbed the Wingstop at 3855 Aramingo Ave.
Another incident took place on Dec. 3, 2022, when Fayez and Antun robbed the Popeyes at 3541 Aramingo Ave.
After pleading guilty, Fayez is set to be sentenced on May 29 and Antun on May 30 in front of Judge Juan R. Sanchez. ••
Transparency by tax preparers
Councilwoman Rue Landau has introduced a bill aimed at ensuring transparency by requiring tax preparers to inform consumers of the existence of free tax services that are available citywide and to disclose their tax preparation fees.
The proposed bill mandates that tax preparation service providers furnish consumers with crucial information regarding the availability of no-cost tax preparation services such as the national Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offered by nonprofits and the city, state and federal programs. The city revenue department will maintain and update a resource for Philadelphians with information about these programs and how to qualify. Furthermore, tax preparation service providers are obligated to provide a detailed explanation of the costs associated with their services up front.
Landau emphasized the importance of the legislation, saying, “Too many Philadelphians shell out too much money for commercial tax prep services, unaware of free alternatives. Many of them are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, one of the most effective anti-poverty tools implemented by the federal government. Our push for transparent fee disclosure is a small but important step to help ensure more money stays where it belongs – in the pockets of low- and moderate-income families. It’s about empowerment and informed decisions.”
Under the proposed bill, violations of these provisions will incur a fine of $500 for each offense.
By enacting measures to ensure transparent fee disclosure for tax preparation services, her bill aims to keep more money in the pockets of “vulnerable” communities.
The proposed ordinance would take effect on Nov. 1, pending approval by Council.
The bill has received co-sponsorship support from Councilmembers Gauthier, Jones Jr, Young, Driscoll, Brooks, Harrity and O’Rourke. ••
Photography exhibit
The Halide Project, 1627 N. 2nd St., will present Living Image, on Saturday, March 2, from 6-9 p.m. The seventh annual call-for-entry exhibition will include a selection of artists who use analog darkroom and historic process techniques. The gallery will also be open by appointment until April 14. For more information, visit TheHalideProject.org. ••
Sign up for senior softball
The Philadelphia Senior Softball League is looking for experienced players for its 68-and-over and 58-and-over leagues. The 58-plus teams play Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 68-plus teams play Mondays and Fridays. All games start at 10 a.m. and are played at Crispin Fields, at Holme and Convent avenues. Games start mid-April and run till the end of September. No games in July. For the 58-plus league, call Mike Bojanowski at 215-801-4869. For the 68-plus league, call Marty King at 215-409-5021. ••
Free tax preparation
People who need help preparing their federal income tax return can take advantage of the free assistance program offered by KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. The program will run through April 12 and is available to everyone with incomes of up to $73,000 whether filling single or joint returns. Call 215-698-7300, Ext. 194 to make an appointment. Have all of your tax information, including last year’s federal tax return, W-2, 1099 and real estate tax bill. ••
Parkinson’s support group
Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus is offering a Parkinson’s disease support group on Feb. 14 for those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their families. The group will meet on the second Wednesday of every other month from 5-6 p.m. at the Cheltenham Friends Meetinghouse, 7604 Central Ave. The group is led by nurse practitioner June Ro, and will include guest speakers.
To register, contact Ro at 215-707-2619 or Jungyoon.Ro@tuhs.temple.edu. ••
Bingo at Loudenslager
Corp. John Loudenslager American Legion Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave., is offering community bingo every second and fourth Friday evenings. Doors open at 6:30, games start at 7:20. Refreshments available. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. Contact Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
March book club
The Book Club of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will be hosting a Zoom session on Monday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The book is The Star Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lois Nelson Spielman. To register or for more information, call Lynn Ratmansky at 215-677-1600. ••
Bingo in March
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is hosting bingo on Zoom on Mondays, March 11 and March 18, starting at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $36 per person and includes two cards for eight games of bingo each night. Send your payment to the CSS office, 9768 Verree Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115, attention: Bingo. Payment must be received no later than Feb. 26. Include your email address to receive the Zoom link. Call Gerry or Nancy at 215-677-1600. ••
Concert at Fillmore
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Marcus King will perform on Oct. 12 at the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St. The concert will be in support of his new album, Mood Swings. For tickets, go to https://www.marcuskingofficial.com/. ••
Sean Paul at Fillmore
Sean Paul will bring his Greatest Tour 2024 to the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St., on Friday, May 10. Paul, a Jamaican, has released seven albums in the dance hall and reggae genres. Tickets are available at livenation.com. ••
Frank Franklin coming to Fillmore
Singer-songwriter Frank Turner will bring his Undefeated Tour to the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St., on Saturday, June 22. The show will feature support from Amigo the Devil, Bridge City Sinners, Micah Schnabel and Vanessa Jean Speckman. Tickets are available at https://frank-turner.com/live-gigs/. ••
Bingo in Bridesburg
Bunny Family Bingo will take place on Sunday, March 10, at 4435 Almond St. Doors will open at 2 p.m., and six rounds of bingo will be played from 3-5. The cost is $20, with discounts available for full tables. There will be games, music, prizes, a 50/50 and an appearance by the “Bunny.” All ages are welcome. Bring daubers. For tickets, text 267-339-2396 or email HSABridesburg@gmail.com. ••
Trip to Northern Europe
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is presenting a Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and London cruise, July 25 to Aug. 4, 2024, aboard the new “Norwegian Prima.” Rates per person are $6,261 and $6,495, which include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia. Deposit of $350 per person double occupancy is required when booking. Final payment by Feb. 27. Call 215-788-9408. ••
